{"id":185,"date":"2005-01-10T16:33:35","date_gmt":"2005-01-10T22:33:35","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2016-10-12T14:44:24","modified_gmt":"2016-10-12T19:44:24","slug":"a-look-at-womens-participation-in-sports-in-maryland-two-year-colleges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesportjournal.org\/article\/a-look-at-womens-participation-in-sports-in-maryland-two-year-colleges\/","title":{"rendered":"A Look at Women’s Participation in Sports in Maryland Two-Year Colleges"},"content":{"rendered":"

ABSTRACT<\/strong><\/p>\n

Much research has been conducted on college athletics.\u00a0 The populations studied most often are four-year, NCAA member institutions.\u00a0 In higher education, 40 percent of the institutions in the United States are two-year colleges.\u00a0 These two-year colleges enroll more than ten million students annually (IPEDS, 2002).\u00a0 Although 56 percent of the students enrolled in these institutions are women, little research exists that examines the participation in two-year college athletic programs.\u00a0 The purpose of this study was to examine the degree of participation and opportunity for female students and coaches at two-year colleges within the state of Maryland.\u00a0 With 18 institutions reporting participation data, results of this study showed that female students participate in far fewer numbers in Maryland than do male students.\u00a0 Results of this study also showed that relatively few women hold administrative or coaching positions within existing sport programs.<\/p>\n

INTRODUCTION
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Over the last thirty-two years, female students have seen substantial gains in sports participation opportunities.\u00a0 These gains came as a result of the federally mandated legislation know as Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.\u00a0 Since the passage of this legislation, opportunities for girls and women to compete in sports have increased dramatically.\u00a0 According to a longitudinal study by Acosta and Carpenter (1996), participation opportunities for women athletes by the late 1990\u2019s hit an all-time high.\u00a0 Increased female athletic participation is evident at all levels of sport, including high schools, colleges, and universities (NFSHSA, 2001; NCAA, 2000).<\/p>\n

Much research (Acosta & Carpenter, 1996; Carpenter, 2003; Fitzgerald, 2003; Kramer & Marinelli, 1993) has been conducted with regards to college athletics, opportunity, and participation.\u00a0 The populations studied most often are four-year, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) member institutions.\u00a0 Within higher education, the two-year (also referred to as community or junior) college is taking on a greater significance.\u00a0 According to a study by the U.S. Department of Education (2002), 40% of the institutions of higher education in the United States are now two-year colleges.\u00a0 These two-year colleges enroll more than 10 million students annually.\u00a0 Many of the athletes at these two-year colleges go on to star in major four-year athletic programs (Douchant, 2002). Although 56% of the students enrolled in these institutions are women, little research exists that examines the two-year college athletic program (Smith, 1997).\u00a0 Thus, the specific purpose of this study was to examine the degree of participation and opportunity for female students and coaches at two-year colleges within the state of Maryland.<\/p>\n

Overview of Title IX<\/strong><\/p>\n

The impetus for the change in opportunity and participation for females can be attributed to the passage of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 and its Title IX provision.\u00a0 Title IX was enacted to help remedy past discriminatory practices. Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972 states that: \u201cNo person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex be excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal aid\u201d (Title IX, n.d., para. 1).<\/p>\n

The passage of Title IX and the threat of litigation have resulted in the vast improvement in opportunities for girls and women in sport.\u00a0 With regard to intercollegiate athletics, three primary areas determine if an institution is in compliance: athletic financial assistance, accommodation of interest and abilities, and equity in other specified program areas.<\/p>\n

A three-part test for compliance is used in determining whether the required number of participation opportunities is being provided.
\nAn institution must show:<\/p>\n